Hello,
Today I purchased a new engine for my 2.8 1988 Camaro. The old engine is toast, so now its time for a new one.
I'm not all that great with cars.... i'm a lot better than the average, but i'm not exactly knowledgeable enough to switch out a motor by myself. but i will have help.

I just wanted to know what would be good to do to the engine before installing it? I'm planning on making this car a full project, so any performance modifications would be a good suggestion as well. Also, to make it all that much more fun, i'm trying to keep the budget as low as possible.

but yeah, good ideas for the engine before putting it in?

thanks in advance,
Marc

 

When you say new, new used, or literally new? If used and it hasn't been rebuilt I would suggest replacing all the gaskets, rebuilding the heads with fresh valve stem seals, new cam+lifters, cylinder head porting, intake porting, new ignition coil, new timing chain+gears, new cap and rotor, new plugs and new wires. but also if you haven't actually bought it yet....a 3.4 is a much better replacement.

 

I did mean new used. thanks for the advice. I have already bought the engine... i couldnt say no for $100 (for 2 engines and a transmission)

 

Oh, yeah in that case you did pretty good, but personally, Id turn around and sell them for more and buy a 3.4 and the parts to rebuild it with the money.
Also forgot to mention that depending on mileage and how it was taken care of, new piston rings and bearings all around might be a good idea. I'd say if it has over 160k. Also you should change the air filters out for some K&Ns, change the fuel filter, and definitely change the oil and oil filter.
And by far the biggest gains you will see to a 60* RWD platform is FWD heads and intake and or boost, aka supercharger, turbocharger, or nitrous oxide. But none of these are cheap, and 2 of them aren't exactly simple or easy to do either.

 

Did u get a chance to replace your engine? If yes how ur car running and can u give any advice I am pretty much rebuilding my 85 camaro 2.8 v6 engine from the ground up got it machine shop new everything in side is new with performamce parts its at the shop right now this my 1st project that i am working on didnt want this car to go to waste i bought for 200 bucks